Welcome to the HumCog Summer Institute
Co-directed by Dr. Andrew Leber and Dr. Angus Fletcher
July 17-21, 2023 | Apply Here!
The annual Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute is a week-long summer camp that provides a critical thinking forum for high school students to explore the big questions at the intersection of the humanities and cognitive sciences.
Cognitive Science: The scientific study of the mind, brain, and its processes be they real, artificial, or animal. It allows us to understand the process of thought, learning, and mental organization through disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.
Humanities: The study and analysis of people and the human experience that spans disciplines such as philosophy, literature, the arts, languages, and history. It allows us to understand all that we do and create as humans.
At HumCog, high school scholars will spend the mornings with world-renowned professors in lectures and afternoons in group discussions and hands-on activities. They'll get a glimpse of what it's like to be a University student while cultivating their passions and building a community of like-minded peers! At the end of the week, they will have learned central aspects of just how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live. HumCog graduates will be invited to join our year-round program, HumCog365.
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Dates & Daily Schedule
July 17-21, 2023
- Drop off 8:30-9 a.m.
- Programming 9-12 p.m.
- Lunch 12-1 p.m.
- Programming 1-3 p.m.
- Pick up 3-3:30 p.m.
Eligibility
HumCog is designed for high school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12. A student completing their freshmen year of high school is eligible to apply. Students are not required to be Columbus residents but they must be staying within driving distance of campus for the duration of the program. We are unable to assist with accommodations or transportation.
Instruction
Participants will attend lectures, workshops, and lab demos led by current OSU faculty, researchers, and graduate students. We may also feature industry professionals, curators, or local artists. All instructors are selected for their expertise in their field as well as their interest in teaching pre-college students.
Select the apply tab above to learn more!
An interdisciplinary collaboration of professors has launched HumCog, developing its activities in partnership with Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences.
Dates: July 17-21, 2023, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus OH
Attendance: The camp will be 100% in-person for 2023, so attendance on the Ohio State campus is required.
Cost: $500. Financial aid opportunities are available, please see the application for more information.
Eligibility: HumCog is designed for high school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12. A student completing their freshmen year of high school is eligible to apply. Students are not required to be Columbus residents but they must be staying within driving distance of campus for the duration of the program. We are unable to assist with accommodations or transportation.
Application Dates: February 1-May 10, 2023 (Admission decisions will be sent to applicants on/around June 1.)
Application Link: Apply Here!
Supporting Documentation (uploaded to the application survey):
- High School Transcript – Unofficial transcripts or advisor reports are sufficient. Please provide a full high school grade report, including grades from completed years as well as the current year.
- Essay – One-page description of why you want to participate in HumCog, including what you might bring to HumCog and what you hope to learn.
- Recommendation Letter – From a teacher who is qualified to comment on your ability in courses that best reflect your readiness to engage in HumCog content. This may be emailed separately by your teacher or submitted with your other application materials, but must be submitted before the application deadline for consideration.
Contact
Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences: ccbs@osu.edu
Program Coordinator, Lauren Marshall: marshall.907@osu.edu
Leadership
Dr. Angus Fletcher
Professor of English and Film
Dr. Andrew Leber
Director, Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Associate Professor of Psychology
Partners
Co-sponsored by the Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
What will program participants do?
- Develop interests in neuroscience, cognitive science and basic research
- Acquire knowledge of how our emotions and thoughts work in everyday activities as well as in more specialized activities like making stories and consuming those stories
- Learn that the intersection of the sciences and humanities can teach us something foundational about what it means to be human
- Learn how research in the cognitive sciences can be applied to the humanities and vice versa
Key program takeaways:
- Learn from and establish professional relationships with world-renowned professors at The Ohio State University
- Create professional relationships with advanced college student "Team Leaders"
- Learn what it is like to be a student on a college campus
- Create lifelong friendships with students who have similar interests and be invited to join HumCog365 after program completion
- Receive a certificate of completion
Will participating in this program improve a student's chances of being admitted into Ohio State University? Ohio State University’s undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent from precollege programs. As with any extracurricular activity, participation in this program can help students present themselves as strong candidates, but does not guarantee admission into Ohio State University. If you choose to include your HumCog experience in any college application, we encourage you to consider reflecting on your experience, and how you felt you learned, grew, and developed your talents and curiosity during your time with us.
What is HumCog? HumCog is a week-long summer day camp that provides a critical thinking forum for gifted and motivated high school students to explore the big questions at the intersection of the humanities and cognitive sciences! By the end of the week, students will have learned central aspects of how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live. HumCog is committed to fostering an exchange of ideas amongst a diverse group of unique and talented students.
Where is HumCog? HumCog is at The Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, Ohio. Our program ‘home base’ will be at the Psychology Building, however the program will utilize various locations across campus to provide students with a better understanding of the college experience.
What food is provided? A light continental breakfast will be provided each morning and lunch will be provided each afternoon. Vegetarian options will be made available. Students with dietary concerns are welcome to pack meals.
What are the drop off and pick up times and locations? Students are to be dropped before 9 a.m. at the designated location, and picked up by 3:30 p.m. each day. Drop off and pick up will occur behind the Psychology Bldg on the OSU campus. More detailed directions will be distributed to accepted applicants prior to the program start.
Can a student drive themselves? Students are allowed to drive themselves to campus with written permission from a parent. Students may park in any visitor garage or PAY-BY-PLATE surface lot. Please keep in mind that parking is costly and the program will not provide any cost assistance. For this reason, we encourage students to be dropped off if possible.
What should students bring? Students do not need to bring anything other than writing utensils and paper to take notes if they wish. Students are allowed to bring their laptops, although they should be mindful of the professors during their lectures. If a student brings a laptop, it is their sole responsibility to keep track of it throughout the week. Students are also encouraged to bring rain gear, in the event of bad weather.
Is financial aid available? Yes, CCBS has a limited number of need-based scholarships available that are intended to support participants who may need financial assistance. Please review the financial aid section of the application for more information. Partial and full scholarships are available.
Who views application materials? Application materials will be accessible only to HumCog program staff, and unless required by law, will not be shared with applicants, their families, or any other third party once submitted.
COVID Updates: The University is not currently requiring masks to be worn on campus, except in medical buildings. Students are encouraged to wear a mask if they choose. University personnel and faculty have been vaccinated, per OSU policy. We will do everything in our power to ensure the program is safe for students, including offering frequent hand washing opportunities, sanitizing classroom spaces, and enjoying outdoor spaces when possible. To read more about OSU health and safety protocols, please visit: safeandhealthy.osu.edu/events
Please contact CCBS with any additional questions at ccbs@osu.edu.
What is HumCog?
The Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute (HumCog) is an interdisciplinary, week-long summer day camp for advanced high school students to the explore correlations between brain sciences and the humanities through daily lectures, discussions, research exploration, and collaborative activities with OSU students and faculty across campus. By the end of the week, students will have learned central aspects of just how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live.
What is a team leader?
As a Team Leader, you will help guide a diverse, bright group of high school students along an exploratory academic journey through the intersections of the humanities and cognitive sciences. Team leaders should have a cross-interest in both the sciences and humanities. You will be assigned your own small group of students, called Pods, to mentor throughout the week.
In conjunction with the camp organizers, you will be the primary contact for the parents of the students in your Pod during the week of the camp. This might include being mindful of a student’s deviation in schedule (example: a student in your pod might need to be picked up early on a specific day), or help keeping track of a student’s lunch if they pack due to a special dietary need. You will also be responsible for signing your students in and out every morning/afternoon by collecting and redistributing your Pod name badges each day. Other duties throughout the week may be assigned.
Team leaders will attend a training meeting prior to the HumCog program. Team leaders will work approximately 8:15AM-3:30PM during the week of camp, participating in all student activities. This is an hourly paid position and meals will be provided each day. All programming will take place on OSU’s Columbus Main Campus.
Eligibility
All prospective team leaders must be accepted or enrolled as OSU undergraduate or graduate students in Autumn 2023. However, Team Leaders cannot be enrolled in classes during the week of HumCog.
Graduate students are ineligible if they will be on Fellowship during the program week. Similarly, graduate students cannot be employed as GRA, GTA, or GAAs during the program.
Undergraduate and Graduate students who have another OSU student assistant position (that is not a graduate appointment: GRA, GTA or GAA) are eligible to be hired as team leaders. However, OSU policy states that students are limited to a cumulative 38 working hours/week during their off academic term and official school breaks. Therefore, by accepting a position as a team leader, the student must agree that they will not work any hours at another OSU position during the week of HumCog.
Onboarding
Team leaders may be subject to an interview and reference checks.
Team leaders will be required to complete a background check and a Minors Policy Training through BuckeyeLearn prior to working with campers. Instructions to complete these steps will be provided during the onboarding process.
Apply
Interested students should email a resume/CV and an unofficial school transcript to ccbs@osu.edu. Please apply by TBD at 5PM EST for consideration.
Know someone who would be great for this role? Nominate a student by emailing ccbs@osu.edu, or encourage them to apply for this unique opportunity!
To view more information on this position, download our position overview below:
